Hypertrophic osteopathy (Marie’s disease) in Equidae: a review of twenty-four cases.
Abstract: The case records of 23 horses and one donkey affected by hypertrophic osteopathy (HO) (Marie's disease) were reviewed. All affected animals presented with limb swellings, which were bilaterally symmetrical and usually involved both fore- and hindlimbs. Associated signs included stiffness/lameness and weight loss. Radiological features included periosteal new bone formation over the diaphyses and metaphyses of affected bones. The metacarpal and metatarsal bones were most frequently affected. Articular surfaces remained free of disease. Seventeen animals were destroyed on humane grounds, 3 horses recovered after successful treatment of the primary disease, 3 horses recovered after symptomatic treatment and one horse was lost to follow-up. Significant primary diseases that were believed to predispose to HO were identified (pre- or post mortem) in 14 cases. In each of these cases, an intrathoracic disease was identified, although co-existing extrathoracic disease was present in 3 cases. Granulomatous inflammatory lesions were present in 9 of these 14 cases. In 4 horses, which underwent necropsy examination, no significant underlying disease was identified.
Publication Date: 1996-07-01 PubMed ID: 8818590DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb03088.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The research reviewed 24 cases of hypertrophic osteopathy, also known as Marie’s Disease, found in 23 horses and one donkey. The study examined the symptoms, radiological features, and correlations with other diseases in these animals. Ultimately, they observed successful recovery in six cases, euthanasia in 17 cases, while one was lost to follow-up.
Symptoms and Radiological Features
- The study indicated that the key symptoms of hypertrophic osteopathy (HO) in equids were limb swelling, stiffness or lameness, and weight loss.
- The limb swelling was observed to be bilaterally symmetrical, meaning it occurred on both sides of their body, and typically involved both forelimbs and hindlimbs.
- Radiological examination pointed to new bone growth over the diaphyses (the main or mid section, excluding the ends) and metaphyses (the narrow portion of long bone between the epiphysis and the diaphysis) of the affected bones as a characteristic of HO.
- The metacarpal (relating to the hand) and metatarsal (relating to the foot) bones were the most commonly affected. However, despite other complications, the articular surfaces – the areas where the bones connect at the joints – remained disease-free.
Correlation with Other Diseases
- Underlying diseases that could influence the development of HO were identified either before or after death in 14 cases.
- Intrathoracic diseases – conditions affecting the organs within the thorax, or chest cavity – were found in every one of the 14 cases. Additionally, three of these cases were accompanied by extrathoracic diseases, referring to conditions outside the thorax.
- Out of these, granulomatous inflammatory lesions were found in 9 cases. These lesions represent an inflammatory response that comes as your body attempts to wall off substances that it perceives as foreign but is unable to eliminate.
- In four of the horses that underwent autopsy, no significant underlying disease that could have caused or contributed to HO was identified.
Animal Outcomes
- The outcomes for the affected equids varied. Seventeen animals were euthanized due to the severity of their symptoms or the progress of their disease.
- Three horses demonstrated recovery after successful treatment of the primary disease which was believed to predispose them to HO. Additionally, three animals recovered following symptomatic treatment which focused on relieving the symptoms rather than addressing the cause of HO.
- One horse was lost to follow-up, making its outcome unknown to the researchers.
Cite This Article
APA
Mair TS, Dyson SJ, Fraser JA, Edwards GB, Hillyer MH, Love S.
(1996).
Hypertrophic osteopathy (Marie’s disease) in Equidae: a review of twenty-four cases.
Equine Vet J, 28(4), 256-262.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb03088.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Maidstone, Kent, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Development / physiology
- Equidae
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Male
- Metacarpus / diagnostic imaging
- Metacarpus / pathology
- Metacarpus / physiology
- Metatarsus / diagnostic imaging
- Metatarsus / pathology
- Metatarsus / physiology
- Osteoarthropathy, Secondary Hypertrophic / diagnosis
- Osteoarthropathy, Secondary Hypertrophic / physiopathology
- Osteoarthropathy, Secondary Hypertrophic / veterinary
- Radiography
- United Kingdom / epidemiology
- Weight Loss / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Elhamiani Khatat S, Vallefuoco R, El Mrini M, Canonne-Guibert M, Rosenberg D. Renal adenocarcinoma associated with hypertrophic osteopathy in a cat. JFMS Open Rep 2020 Jul-Dec;6(2):2055116920962433.
- Browne NS, Scarratt WK, Robertson J. Hypertrophic osteopathy secondary to metastatic ovarian adenocarcinoma in a mare. Can Vet J 2016 Dec;57(12):1237-1241.
- Guyot H, Sandersen C, Rollin F. A case of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in a Belgian blue cow. Can Vet J 2011 Dec;52(12):1308-11.
- Weyna AAW, Luley E, Brown JD, Niedringhaus KD, Gibbs SEJ, Nemeth NM. Hypertrophic osteopathy in 4 white-tailed deer, with a literature review. J Vet Diagn Invest 2025 Mar;37(2):340-344.
- de Melo Ocarino N, Fukushima FB, de Matos Gomes A, Bueno DF, de Oliveira TS, Serakides R. Idiopathic hypertrophic osteopathy in a cat. J Feline Med Surg 2006 Oct;8(5):345-8.
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